Is confrontation hard? Absolutely. But glaring at your roommate won't solve the problem of the pile of nearly radioactive, unwashed laundry taking over the floor, and neither will inviting other people in to say, "Gee, it kind of smells in here, doesn't it? I can't imagine why!" You'd want your roommate to be direct and tactful with you if something you did annoyed her, right? Which leads us right along to:

More From Seventeen

2. Find your voice. It's not just for memoirists anymore. When you have a problem, speak up. It isn't rude to raise concerns, especially if you do it in a calm, non-accusatory way. "Did you by any chance borrow some money from me?" will almost always net better results than, "I'm calling security right now." Odds are you will have some issues to discuss, since this might be the first time you share a bedroom with anyone. And, on a related note:

3. "Be cool, Honeybunny." Do like Samuel L. Jackson and try not to sweat the small stuff. As long as what your roommate does on her side of the room stays on her side of the room, it might be a better strategy to let it be. In general, try to live and let live. And while you're living:

4.Have other friends. Love your roommate? Lucky. All the same, don't forget to give each other space. Even if you are sisters from different misters, both of you will benefit from meeting other people. Expanding your circle assures that, if nothing else, you will have that many more people to borrow clothes from for those themed dances freshman year.

5. Remember what you learned in Kindergarten. Be generous with your food. Clean up after yourself. Don't throw a tantrum if someone uses your crayons without asking.

6.

Announce your guests. I was locked out of the room for the first time in summer camp and had to crash on a friend's floor. We were fifteen. Let your roommate know in advance if someone's coming to sleep over, whether it's your buddy, your three sisters or your date. And don't try to hook up quietly while your roommate sleeps. No one can sleep through that and it's harsh to make someone pretend.

7. Sit down with your roommate and decide what will and won't be allowed. Will you use a sock on the doorknob as a "Do Not Enter?" Are you going to be okay with your roommate getting up at 6:20 A.M. every morning to do Tai Chi? What about poker parties that last 'til 4:00? What about both?

8. Don't hate. College is all about getting to know lots of different kinds of people and learning how to disagree with them in a civil way. Before you go running to the administration begging for a more suitable match, give it a shot. Differing political affiliations, sexual orientations and religions may seem like serious obstacles to roommate harmony, but they don't have to be.

And finally:

10. If your roommate has a serious peanut allergy, do not eat peanuts in her bed. For real, folks. Take this one to heart.